Matthew L.
Yelp
Pellicci's Ristorante is a historic Italian restaurant that opened in Stamford, Connecticut in 1947. It was founded by husband and wife Frank and Frances Pellicci. The origins of the restaurant go back to 1938 when Salvatore "Sal" Sullo opened up Sullo's Restaurant in Stanford's Italian West Side neighborhood. Sullo's specialized in coal-fired pizza and spaghetti. By 1946, Sullo moved his restaurant to a larger location across the street. A year later, Frank Pellicci and his business partner Stanley Ogara took over Sullo's. By 1950, the Pellicci family had become the sole owners of the restaurant and it officially became 'Pellicci's Ristorante'. Over the years, the Pellicci family expanded both the building and the menu. Several celebrities dined at Pellicci's over the years, including Walter Cronkite, Joe DiMaggio, Nancy Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Today Pellicci's is owned by Frank and Frances' daughters Toni Pellicci-Lupinacci, Frances Pellicci-Caminiti, and daughter-in-law Ann Pellicci, while several more family members work in the kitchen. It is the oldest family-owned restaurant in Stamford.
I recently dined at Pellicci's with my wife's family. My wife grew up in Stamford and ate at Pellicci's several times with her family, but this was my first visit. From the bar, I ordered a "Wave Chaser IPA" by Montauk Brewing Company. It was piney, citrusy and refreshing. For appetizers, we ordered a plate of "Bruschetta Pellicci" for the table to share. It was served with the mozzarella melted: a nice touch! Pellicci's has some excellent pasta dishes! My son had Ravioli with Vodka Sauce, my wife had Lobster Ravioli, my sister-in-law had Penne ala Vodka, and my mother-in-law had Tortellini Pesto. Some of us were in the mood for pizza (which is unfortunately no longer cooked in a coal-fired oven). I ordered "The Amalfi" (red pie, mozzarella, rock shrimp, clams, bacon, garlic, basil, parsley, red pepper) while my father-in-law had "Il Bianco" (white pie, ricotta, parmigiana, mozzarella). Both pies were excellent! We had an excellent meal at Pellicci's and I look forward to returning in the future!